Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Ephesians: Chapter 4].
4:11 {And he gave} (\kai autos ed•ken\). First aorist active
indicative of \did•mi\. In 1Co 12:28 Paul uses \etheto\ (more
common verb, appointed), but here repeats \ed•ken\ from the
quotation in verse 8. There are four groups (\tous men\, \tous
de\ three times, as the direct object of \ed•ken\). The titles
are in the predicate accusative (\apostolous, proph•tas, poimenas
kai didaskalous\). Each of these words occurs in 1Co 12:28
(which see for discussion) except \poimenas\ (shepherds). This
word \poim•n\ is from a root meaning to protect. Jesus said the
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (Joh 10:11) and
called himself the Good Shepherd. In Heb 13:20 Christ is the
Great Shepherd (cf. 1Pe 2:25). Only here are preachers termed
shepherds (Latin _pastores_) in the N.T. But the verb \poimain•\,
to shepherd, is employed by Jesus to Peter (Joh 21:16), by
Peter to other ministers (1Pe 5:2), by Paul to the elders
(bishops) of Ephesus (Ac 20:28). Here Paul groups "shepherds
and teachers" together. All these gifts can be found in one man,
though not always. Some have only one.
4:12 {For the perfecting} (\pros ton katartismon\). Late and rare
word (in Galen in medical sense, in papyri for house-furnishing),
only here in N.T., though \katartisis\ in 2Co 13:9, both from
\katartiz•\, to mend (Mt 4:21; Ga 6:1). "For the mending
(repair) of the saints." {Unto the building up} (\eis
oikodom•n\). See 2:21. This is the ultimate goal in all these
varied gifts, "building up."
4:13 {Till we all attain} (\mechri katant•s•men hoi pantes\).
Temporal clause with purpose idea with \mechri\ and the first
aorist active subjunctive of \katanta•\, late verb, to come down
to the goal (Php 3:11). "The whole" including every individual.
Hence the need of so many gifts. {Unto the unity of the faith}
(\eis t•n henot•ta t•s piste•s\). "Unto oneness of faith" (of
trust) in Christ (verse 3) which the Gnostics were disturbing.
{And of the knowledge of the Son of God} (\kai t•s epign•se•s tou
huiou tou theou\). Three genitives in a chain dependent also on
\t•n henot•ta\, "the oneness of full (\epi-\) knowledge of the
Son of God," in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries. {Unto a
full-grown man} (\eis andra teleion\). Same figure as in 2:15
and \teleios\ in sense of adult as opposed to \n•pioi\ (infants)
in 14. {Unto the measure of the stature} (\eis metron
h•likias\). So apparently \h•likia\ here as in Lu 2:52, not age
(Joh 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But
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